2. Index
Page
About Panic Disorder 2
Symptoms of Panic Disorder 4
Causes of Panic Disorder 5
Other Factors 6
Treatments of Panic Disorder 9
References 11
3. Menopause and Panic Disorder
About Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder. These
are both the most common type of the
psychological disorders. They are
characterized by unexpected and repeated
episodes of intense fear accompanied by
physical symptoms that may include chest
pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath,
dizziness or abdominal distress.
These episodes are often referred to as "panic
attacks“. The episodes may resemble a heart
attack. They may strike at any time and occur
without a known reason, but more frequently
are triggered by specific events or thoughts,
such as taking an elevator or driving. The
attacks may be so terrifying that some people
associate their attacks with the place they
occurred and will refuse to go there again.
4. Menopause and Panic Disorder
Women are twice as likely to be affected by
panic disorder than men, with the official
statistic from the U.S. for example, being 2.7%
of the population.
This disorder is defined as having recurring
panic attacks, often for no external reason.
Severe anxiety, panic and stress occur
regularly and at any time.
5. Menopause and Panic Disorder
Symptoms of Panic Disorder
Many of the below symptoms peak and begin
to dissipate within 10 minutes of the onset of
a panic attack. Others however, may remain
for much longer. The common symptoms of
panic disorder are:
• Choking, chest pains, distress
• Difficulty breathing, rapid or shallow
• Tingling in fingers or toes
• Hot flashes, dizziness or light headedness
• Trembling, sweating, shaking
• Fear, anxiety
• Raised heartbeat
6. Menopause and Panic Disorder
Causes of Panic Disorder
During menopause, the vital female sex
hormones estrogen and progesterone rapidly
decline. This has a major affect on women's
mood as well as their bodies. Low estrogen
can cause panic disorder during menopause
for two reasons: declining level of estrogen
and declining levels of progesterone.
Estrogen has an inhibitive effect on the stress-
hormone cortisol. When estrogen is too low,
levels of cortisol rise, raising blood pressure
and blood sugar and causing panic disorder.
Estrogen also has an important effect on a
brain chemical called serotonin, which is
responsible for happy and balanced moods.
7. Menopause and Panic Disorder
Estrogen helps to stimulate the production
and transportation of serotonin around the
body and also prevents its break down. The
drop of serotonin levels that accompanies low
estrogen levels during menopause causes an
unstable mood and as a result, anxiety.
Hormonal fluctuations during menopause
cause panic disorder due to drops in the
hormone progesterone. Progesterone has
been shown to have a calming, soothing affect
on the brain. Low levels of progesterone (in
combination with the hormonal changes
described above) can cause panic disorder.
8. Menopause and Panic Disorder
Other factors
During menopause, the hormonal changes
described above leave women even more
susceptible to other causes of panic disorder
that come from their lifestyle or stressful life
events.
Caffeine
Contains dopamine, a chemical that causes
the jitters, thus worsening sensations of
panic.
Alcohol
Raises certain mood-affecting chemicals in the
blood and also affects the nervous system
with its addictive elements. Alcohol addiction
is often associated with panic disorder.
9. Menopause and Panic Disorder
Nutrition
Poor nutrition (especially excessive
consumption of sugars and fats) can cause
panic disorder by creating sudden bursts of
energy followed by severe slumps of
exhaustion, leaving the body weak and
emotionally susceptible.
Changing roles
During menopause, a woman's lifestyle
changes just as rapidly as her body. Her
children leave home, she becomes infertile,
and other traumatic life events can occur like
the death of parents or a spouse. All of these
factors can also lead to panic disorder.
10. Menopause and Panic Disorder
Treatments of Panic Disorder
Lifestyle changes are the least obtrusive form
of treating panic disorder. A woman who
suffers from panic disorder should first make
sure her diet is healthy and high in proper
nutrients. It's also a good idea to make sure
that she is getting proper exercise and
sleeping the required 7 to 8 hours a night.
Alternative medicines are the next step on the
path to treatment. These often involve herbs,
vitamins and supplements. It's important to
realize that there are some alternative
medicines, sometimes called natural remedies
that will treat the symptoms, but not the
underlying cause of panic disorder.
11. Menopause and Panic Disorder
Because panic disorder is caused largely by
hormonal imbalance during menopause, find
herbs that help to stimulate natural hormonal
production. Another form of alternative
medicine that can help alleviate panic
disorder is acupuncture or massage.
Some women with exceedingly severe panic
disorder will want to turn to medications or
surgery for relief. It's important to consult a
healthcare professional before administering
this treatment option. Although drugs might
be the only way to attain relief for some
women, they typically come with harsh side
effects.
12. Menopause and Panic Disorder
References
• “Generalized Anxiety Disorder”.
MedicineNet.com.
• “Panic Disorder”. National Institute of
Mental Health. www.nimh.nih.gov.
• Pick, Marcelle. “Anxiety in Women-Causes,
symptoms, and natural relief”.
www.womentowomen.com.
